Reyes expected to play vs. Philly

Defender was stretchered off field in loss to Orlando

Good news for Inter Miami CF: Andres Reyes is expected to be available for the team’s next game in the MLS is Back tournament after suffering a scary injury against Orlando City SC.

The Colombian defender was taken off the field in a stretcher in the 51st minute of Wednesday’s 2-1 loss after a collision with Orlando City forward Dom Dwyer in the tournament’s opening match. Dwyer’s arm appeared to hit Reyes in the throat when the two were battling for the ball, with Reyes immediately falling to the ground and appearing to have difficulties breathing before carted off the field.

Reyes went to a local hospital after the game but returned to the Swan and Dolphin Hotel in Lake Buena Vista the same night as the game. He had to be isolated in the hotel pending

COVID-19 test results and clearance from officials onsite before rejoining his teammates since he left the league’s “bubble” to go to the hospital.

“Andres is probably going to be back training today,” Inter Miami coach Diego Alonso said during Zoom call with reporters Saturday morning. “We’re happy to have him rejoin the group. The doctors have told us that he should be set for the match.”

Midfielder Lewis Morgan called Wednesday’s game “a little bizarre” since there weren’t any fans at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, but added, “most of our guys were just so happy to be back playing and be able to play anywhere.”

“Obviously, having no fans there was a little bit tougher, but at the moment that’s what soccer is looking like,” he said. “We were just happy to be out there and playing. Unfortunately, that didn’t translate into three points.

“The game was a tough one for us to take. It was a difficult pill to swallow. I know the guys were hurting after the game. We analyzed the game yesterday, and it was important we looked back and tried to learn from the game.”

Inter Miami will play the Philadelphia Union at 10:30 p.m. Tuesday for its second match of the tournament. Rodolfo Pizarro is expected to rejoin the team’s starting lineup after coming off the bench against Orlando City due to suffering a minor injury.

“Having Rodolfo back will also be a big positive,” Morgan said. “When he came on, he looked sharp and it’s good to have him back and he’ll bring a lot to us.

Roman Torres will help fortify Inter Miami’s backline, as he’ll be available versus Philadelphia.

He sat out the game against Orlando City after receiving a red card in Inter Miami’s last game before the tournament against D.C. United.

Inter Miami has an idea of what to expect from Philadelphia, losing to the Union 2-1 in a February preseason game.

“They’re a good side, but it’s about us,” Morgan said. “It’s important that we’re looking at the strengths and weaknesses of the sides we play against, but within our group, we have enough talent and desire to win. If we can implement our gameplan and take the game to other teams, we can be successful in that way.”

JOHN RAOUX/AP Inter Miami’s Andres Reyes, left, is taken off the field after he as injured during the second half of an MLS match against Orlando City on Wednesday.